Nerses V


Nerses V of Ashtarak served as the Catholicos of the Armenian [Apostolic Church] between 1843 and 1857. Previously, he served as the leader of the Diocese of Georgia from 1811 to 1830 and as the leader of the Diocese of Bessarabia and Nor Nakhichevan from 1830 to 1843.
Nerses V is buried near Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Early life

Nerses V born in 1770 in the village of the Ashtarak, in Armenian family. He was the son of a priest, Ter-Harutyun Shahazizyan. His mother, Susambar, was an Armenian from Byurakan village. From the age of 8 he studied at the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary in Etchmiadzin. In 1791, he was ordained as a deacon, In 1794, he received the rank of Archimandrite.

Awards